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What is rabies?
Rabies is a disease caused by the rabies virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other warm-blooded
mammals. Human rabies is very rare in the United States, but animal rabies, particularly in some
wild animal species, is common. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms of the disease have begun.
How is rabies spread?
Rabies virus is found only in the brain, spinal cord, and saliva of infected animals. It can be passed to a
person or another animal if any of these fluids or tissues from an animal with rabies by a bite, a fresh
opening of the skin that has not scabbed over (wound less than 24 hours old), or mucous membrane (eyes,
lining of the nose, or mouth). The chance of getting rabies from an animal with rabies depends on the type
of exposure.
What is an exposure to rabies?
There are two types of possible exposures to the rabies virus. The most dangerous type is from the bite of a
known rabid animal that breaks the skin. A non-bite exposure results when saliva, spinal fluid, or brain
tissue from a rabid animal gets into an open wound or mucous membrane.
You CANNOT get rabies from the following:
· Contact with blood
· Contact with urine or feces
· Contact with dried saliva
· Petting, or otherwise touching the hair of a rabid animal
· Touching bowls, lead ropes, gates, trailers, or other surfaces the rabid animal contacted
How can I tell if a bat has rabies?
Only a laboratory test can tell if a bat has rabies. However, any bat that is out during the day, is found in a
place where bats are not usually seen (for example, in a room in your home or on the lawn), or is unable to
fly, may have rabies. So, it is best never to handle any bat.
What Should I Do If I Come In Contact With A Bat?
If you are bitten by a bat -- or if saliva, brain tissue, or spinal fluid from a bat gets into your eyes, nose,
mouth, or a wound -- wash the area thoroughly and get medical advice immediately. If possible, capture the
bat and send to a laboratory for rabies testing (see: How can I safely capture a bat in my home?).
People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat. However, because bats have small teeth which
may leave marks that are not easily seen, in certain cases you should seek medical advice even if you don’t
see a bite wound. For example, if you awaken and find a bat in your room, see a bat in the room of an
unattended child, or see a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, seek medical advice and
have the bat tested.
What Should I Do If My Pet Is Exposed To A Bat?
If you think your pet or domestic animal has been bitten by a bat, contact a veterinarian or your health
department immediately and have the bat tested for rabies. Remember to keep your pets currently
vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
Bats and Rabies Public Health
Fact Sheet
Public Health
Fact Sheet
Continued on Next Page

What is rabies?
Rabies is a disease caused by the rabies virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other warm-blooded
mammals. Human rabies is very rare in the United States, but animal rabies, particularly in some
wild animal species, is common. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms of the disease have begun.
How is rabies spread?
Rabies virus is found only in the brain, spinal cord, and saliva of infected animals. It can be passed to a
person or another animal if any of these fluids or tissues from an animal with rabies by a bite, a fresh
opening of the skin that has not scabbed over (wound less than 24 hours old), or mucous membrane (eyes,
lining of the nose, or mouth). The chance of getting rabies from an animal with rabies depends on the type
of exposure.
What is an exposure to rabies?
There are two types of possible exposures to the rabies virus. The most dangerous type is from the bite of a
known rabid animal that breaks the skin. A non-bite exposure results when saliva, spinal fluid, or brain
tissue from a rabid animal gets into an open wound or mucous membrane.
You CANNOT get rabies from the following:
· Contact with blood
· Contact with urine or feces
· Contact with dried saliva
· Petting, or otherwise touching the hair of a rabid animal
· Touching bowls, lead ropes, gates, trailers, or other surfaces the rabid animal contacted
How can I tell if a bat has rabies?
Only a laboratory test can tell if a bat has rabies. However, any bat that is out during the day, is found in a
place where bats are not usually seen (for example, in a room in your home or on the lawn), or is unable to
fly, may have rabies. So, it is best never to handle any bat.
What Should I Do If I Come In Contact With A Bat?
If you are bitten by a bat -- or if saliva, brain tissue, or spinal fluid from a bat gets into your eyes, nose,
mouth, or a wound -- wash the area thoroughly and get medical advice immediately. If possible, capture the
bat and send to a laboratory for rabies testing (see: How can I safely capture a bat in my home?).
People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat. However, because bats have small teeth which
may leave marks that are not easily seen, in certain cases you should seek medical advice even if you don’t
see a bite wound. For example, if you awaken and find a bat in your room, see a bat in the room of an
unattended child, or see a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, seek medical advice and
have the bat tested.
What Should I Do If My Pet Is Exposed To A Bat?
If you think your pet or domestic animal has been bitten by a bat, contact a veterinarian or your health
department immediately and have the bat tested for rabies. Remember to keep your pets currently
vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
Bats and Rabies Public Health
Fact Sheet
Public Health
Fact Sheet
Continued on Next Page